By Debra Lemoine
The Advocate
INDEPENDENCE, La. — A former Independence fire chief was sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation on a felony theft conviction for mishandling department funds.
State District Judge Bruce Bennett handed down the sentence against Raymond Alexia, 35, of Independence, two months after Alexia pleaded guilty in 21st Judicial District Court in Amite.
The judge required Alexia to serve 500 hours of community service within his first two years of probation and pay a $500 fine and probation monitoring fees.
Alexia paid the required $34,000 in restitution in full Tuesday.
Bennett noted the restitution payment and Alexia’s lack of prior criminal arrests while sentencing the former fire chief to probation.
“The most aggravating part is the defendant was in a position of public trust at the time of the incident,” Bennett said.
Alexia issued a statement in court apologizing to his wife, son and relatives for taking the money. He also apologized to the public.
“I am truly sorry for what I did and I have no excuse,” Alexia said.
Alexia resigned as fire chief shortly after Phillip Dominano lost his re-election bid for mayor in February 2008.
The Legislative Auditor determined in 2008 that Alexia converted $32,450 in Fire Department funds into cash in bank transactions between Aug. 23, 2005, and Nov. 29, 2007.
Alexia admitted he used $28,800 of the money for personal expenses. Alexia had given auditors false invoices to account for the funds, according to the audit.
About $10,000 of the same money came from U.S. Department of Agriculture grants, auditors said.
Alexia also had controlled two Volunteer Fire Department accounts, but the accounts went unreported to department accountants and auditors.
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